The 2023-24 school year has been filled with memorable moments for Eddyville-Blakesburg/Fremont.

On Tuesday at the state softball tournament, the Rockets added another highlight to the reel.

Playing at Rogers Park for the first time since placing second in 2017, Eddyville-B/F topped Northeast in a Class 2A quarterfinal, 6-1. With the win, the Rockets (23-13 overall) advance to face Audubon in the semis on Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. on Iowa Central Field.

This past fall, Eddyville-B/F qualified for state in volleyball and also reached the elite eight in basketball, losing in the opening round of both tournaments. They are making just the fourth appearance at state softball, having qualified in 1970 and ’74.

“Honestly, it was a rough start to the season as we were around .500 before we got going,” Kate Shafer said. “But our experience from state helped get us rolling.

“The IGHSAU puts on such special events that they make it incredible and also pretty nervous at the same time.”

Since a pair of mid-June losses to Albia and Knoxville, the Rockets have gone 11-1, including a win over 1A state qualifier Collins-Maxwell.

Lanie Batterson allowed just three hits and walked one, as the lone run scored by the Rebels was unearned. Shafer, who has committed to the University of Northern Iowa with her sister, Molly, had two hits and scored twice.

“Once we got past some early nerves, we settled in,” Batterson said. “It feels great to be moving on and we all feel confident.”

Northeast (27-8) takes on West Monona in a consolation contest Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. on Yankee Field. The Rebels made it to state last summer, falling to eventual champion Iowa City Regina in the first round.

EDDYVILLE-BLAKESBURG/FREMONT 6, NORTHEAST 1

E-B/F 101 130 0 — 6 8 2

Northeast 010 000 0 — 1 3 1

WP–Lanie Batterson (20-11, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 1 BB). LP–Madison Kluever (16-5, 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB).

2B–EBF: Kate Shafer (2). RBI–EBF: Kate Shafer, Sadie Jager, Aliya Wagamon, Ella Ray. SB–EBF: Megan Lobbrecht (2), Aliya Wagamon; N: Gabby Wade.